Modul referensi resmi Level 1 VibeKoding: Validasi Kebutuhan dengan The Mom Test.Modul referensi resmi Level 1 VibeKoding: Validasi Kebutuhan dengan The Mom Test.
import StageAssignmentCard from '@theme/components/StageAssignmentCard.vue'import StageAssignmentCard from '@theme/components/StageAssignmentCard.vue'
The JTBD statement from the previous chapter is still a hypothesis. Interviews help us check whether the problem has occurred recently and whether users have already spent time, money, or effort on it.The JTBD statement from the previous chapter is still a hypothesis. Interviews help us check whether the problem has occurred recently and whether users have already spent time, money, or effort on it.
This sounds straightforward. Yet if we directly ask whether someone likes an idea, we often receive polite, general replies. For example:This sounds straightforward. Yet if we directly ask whether someone likes an idea, we often receive polite, general replies. For example:
The replies usually sound encouraging:The replies usually sound encouraging:
The problem is that these answers usually do not help you decide anything. They are often just politeness, support, or a natural instinct not to discourage you in the moment. You think you collected "market validation," but what you really collected was a pile of comforting feedback that is hard to use.The problem is that these answers usually do not help you decide anything. They are often just politeness, support, or a natural instinct not to discourage you in the moment. You think you collected "market validation," but what you really collected was a pile of comforting feedback that is hard to use.
These answers are not wrong, but they are difficult to use for product decisions. The Mom Test asks us to spend less time on future intentions and more on what happened in the past, how the user handled it, and what it already cost them.These answers are not wrong, but they are difficult to use for product decisions. The Mom Test asks us to spend less time on future intentions and more on what happened in the past, how the user handled it, and what it already cost them.
This chapter explains how to avoid such false-positive feedback and shift the interview from opinions and hypothetical futures toward past behavior, current workarounds, and costs already incurred.This chapter explains how to avoid such false-positive feedback and shift the interview from opinions and hypothetical futures toward past behavior, current workarounds, and costs already incurred.
The Mom Test comes from Rob Fitzpatrick's book of the same name. The title sounds playful, but the point is sharp:The Mom Test comes from Rob Fitzpatrick's book of the same name. The title sounds playful, but the point is sharp:
even your mom will struggle to tell you your idea is bad if you ask the wrong way.even your mom will struggle to tell you your idea is bad if you ask the wrong way.
The reason is not that she is dishonest. It is that:The reason is not that she is dishonest. It is that:
And this is not only about your mom. Friends, coworkers, former classmates, and even strangers often do the same thing when they react to a product idea. A positive answer does not necessarily mean the demand is real. It may simply mean you asked in a way that made a flattering answer easy.And this is not only about your mom. Friends, coworkers, former classmates, and even strangers often do the same thing when they react to a product idea. A positive answer does not necessarily mean the demand is real. It may simply mean you asked in a way that made a flattering answer easy.
The point of The Mom Test is therefore not whom to interview, but how to structure the questions. An interview should look for verifiable experiences instead of collecting evaluations of the product idea.The point of The Mom Test is therefore not whom to interview, but how to structure the questions. An interview should look for verifiable experiences instead of collecting evaluations of the product idea.
The Mom Test mainly helps you avoid one very common cognitive mistake:The Mom Test mainly helps you avoid one very common cognitive mistake:
mistaking polite positive feedback for real demand.mistaking polite positive feedback for real demand.
For example, people often ask:For example, people often ask:
These questions have three things in common:These questions have three things in common:
People are usually unreliable when answering about opinion and imagined future behavior. They tend to overestimate their own interest, their own follow-through, and their own willingness to pay.People are usually unreliable when answering about opinion and imagined future behavior. They tend to overestimate their own interest, their own follow-through, and their own willingness to pay.
That is why The Mom Test keeps reminding you:That is why The Mom Test keeps reminding you:
Compared with "Would you use this?", a question like "How did you handle this last time?" is usually much closer to truth.Compared with "Would you use this?", a question like "How did you handle this last time?" is usually much closer to truth.
If you want to remember only the most important part first, remember these three principles.If you want to remember only the most important part first, remember these three principles.
Many weak interviews start with too much explanation: your solution, your excitement, your product concept, your feature plan. Once you do that, the other person often shifts into "supportive mode."Many weak interviews start with too much explanation: your solution, your excitement, your product concept, your feature plan. Once you do that, the other person often shifts into "supportive mode."
A better direction is to center the conversation on their real experience:A better direction is to center the conversation on their real experience:
Questions like these pull the conversation back into reality instead of keeping it in imagined preference.Questions like these pull the conversation back into reality instead of keeping it in imagined preference.
"That sounds useful," "Seems nice," and "I think I would like that" are all too abstract to guide product decisions."That sounds useful," "Seems nice," and "I think I would like that" are all too abstract to guide product decisions.
Higher-value information usually looks more like this:Higher-value information usually looks more like this:
That kind of information helps you judge the intensity of the problem, how often it happens, and whether anyone might pay to solve it.That kind of information helps you judge the intensity of the problem, how often it happens, and whether anyone might pay to solve it.
Users are often good at describing pain, but not always good at designing the best product.Users are often good at describing pain, but not always good at designing the best product.
If you ask:If you ask:
you usually get a vague opinion about a proposed solution, not evidence about the underlying need.you usually get a vague opinion about a proposed solution, not evidence about the underlying need.
Better questions are:Better questions are:
Seeing the current workaround clearly is often more valuable than asking "What do you want us to build?"Seeing the current workaround clearly is often more valuable than asking "What do you want us to build?"


If you understand this part, you will make fewer mistakes during interviews.If you understand this part, you will make fewer mistakes during interviews.
Especially when the person knows you, it is hard for them to say:Especially when the person knows you, it is hard for them to say:
They are much more likely to say something like "sounds interesting" or "could be useful."They are much more likely to say something like "sounds interesting" or "could be useful."
Many people honestly believe their future self will:Many people honestly believe their future self will:
So the sentence "I would probably use that" often does not mean they really will.So the sentence "I would probably use that" often does not mean they really will.
When you ask:When you ask:
you are already hiding the "good answer" inside the question.you are already hiding the "good answer" inside the question.
That is one reason The Mom Test strongly warns you:That is one reason The Mom Test strongly warns you:
do not turn the interview into a search for reassurance.do not turn the interview into a search for reassurance.
These comparisons are useful because almost every beginner asks some version of them.These comparisons are useful because almost every beginner asks some version of them.
| Weak question | Better question |
|---|---|
| What do you think of this idea? | When was the last time this happened to you? |
| Would you use this if it existed? | How do you handle this now? |
| Would you pay for this? | Have you already spent time or money on this problem? What did you spend it on? |
| Is this feature important? | Which step in the process feels slowest, most frustrating, or least trustworthy? |
| Would you want an AI to do this automatically? | Why have you not found a better workaround yet? |
The most important thing in the table is not the wording itself, but the direction of the shift:The most important thing in the table is not the wording itself, but the direction of the shift:
The exercise below presents six common interview statements. Decide which ones provide usable evidence and which ones are only opinions.The exercise below presents six common interview statements. Decide which ones provide usable evidence and which ones are only opinions.
If you want to talk to someone now, you can use this order directly.If you want to talk to someone now, you can use this order directly.
For example:For example:
> I am trying to understand how people actually deal with this in real life. I am not selling anything right now.> I am trying to understand how people actually deal with this in real life. I am not selling anything right now.
That makes it easier for the other person to drop the instinct to encourage you.That makes it easier for the other person to drop the instinct to encourage you.
Good opening questions are:Good opening questions are:
Once the conversation enters one specific real event, the quality of the information usually improves a lot.Once the conversation enters one specific real event, the quality of the information usually improves a lot.
Continue with questions like:Continue with questions like:
You do not have to ask directly, "How painful is this?" You can often judge it from the details:You do not have to ask directly, "How painful is this?" You can often judge it from the details:
Those clues are much more useful than asking, "Is this a pain point for you?"Those clues are much more useful than asking, "Is this a pain point for you?"
Suppose you want to build an AI product that helps college students improve resumes.Suppose you want to build an AI product that helps college students improve resumes.
You ask a classmate:You ask a classmate:
> I want to build an AI resume optimizer. What do you think?> I want to build an AI resume optimizer. What do you think?
> If it could automatically rewrite your resume for a job description, would you use it?> If it could automatically rewrite your resume for a job description, would you use it?
They will probably say:They will probably say:
Those answers give you almost no reliable signal about the actual strength of the demand.Those answers give you almost no reliable signal about the actual strength of the demand.
You can change the conversation to this:You can change the conversation to this:
> When was the last time you edited your resume?> When was the last time you edited your resume?
> Why did you need to change it?> Why did you need to change it?
> How did you do it?> How did you do it?
> Which step felt hardest?> Which step felt hardest?
> Did you ask anyone else to review it?> Did you ask anyone else to review it?
> Have you ever spent money or a lot of time on this?> Have you ever spent money or a lot of time on this?
From these questions, you may learn things like:From these questions, you may learn things like:
That gets you much closer to the real problem.That gets you much closer to the real problem.
If JTBD helps you see what kind of progress the user is trying to make, The Mom Test teaches you:If JTBD helps you see what kind of progress the user is trying to make, The Mom Test teaches you:
how to verify through interviews whether that job is actually real.how to verify through interviews whether that job is actually real.
You can combine the two like this:You can combine the two like this:
Example JTBD hypothesis:Example JTBD hypothesis:
> When I am preparing internship applications, I want to adapt my old resume into a role-specific version so I can submit faster.> When I am preparing internship applications, I want to adapt my old resume into a role-specific version so I can submit faster.
Now validate it with questions like:Now validate it with questions like:
That is how the two methods connect:That is how the two methods connect:
Interviews help us understand what happened in the past, but they are not the final step. Once a prototype exists, users should operate it directly so we can compare what they described with what they actually do.Interviews help us understand what happened in the past, but they are not the final step. Once a prototype exists, users should operate it directly so we can compare what they described with what they actually do.


If you explain too much about your idea, the other person starts helping you instead of telling you the truth.If you explain too much about your idea, the other person starts helping you instead of telling you the truth.
Friends are not useless, but they are more likely to encourage you. You need at least some people who are closer to real users and less emotionally invested in you.Friends are not useless, but they are more likely to encourage you. You need at least some people who are closer to real users and less emotionally invested in you.
If the problem is still unclear, detailed feature questions usually mean you are moving into solution mode too early.If the problem is still unclear, detailed feature questions usually mean you are moving into solution mode too early.
Interviews can help you judge direction, but interviews are not the whole validation step. Real validation still depends on real cost: time, switching effort, trial behavior, or payment.Interviews can help you judge direction, but interviews are not the whole validation step. Real validation still depends on real cost: time, switching effort, trial behavior, or payment.
If you do not organize the conversation afterward, it quickly becomes a blurry impression. Try to capture:If you do not organize the conversation afterward, it quickly becomes a blurry impression. Try to capture:


If you want to start quickly, this set is broad enough for many interviews.If you want to start quickly, this set is broad enough for many interviews.
This is fine near the end, but it should not come first. Earlier in the conversation, you want facts more than wishes.This is fine near the end, but it should not come first. Earlier in the conversation, you want facts more than wishes.
The Mom Test is still a method for talking to real people, so AI cannot replace real interviews. But AI is extremely useful before, during, and after interviews, especially for beginners who need structure.The Mom Test is still a method for talking to real people, so AI cannot replace real interviews. But AI is extremely useful before, during, and after interviews, especially for beginners who need structure.
Many people know they should not ask, "What do you think of my idea?", but they still drift back to that kind of wording. You can ask AI to rewrite your draft questions first:Many people know they should not ask, "What do you think of my idea?", but they still drift back to that kind of wording. You can ask AI to rewrite your draft questions first:
text Below are the questions I plan to ask in user interviews: [paste your questions] Please rewrite them using The Mom Test principles: 1. remove opinion-based questions 2. remove future hypothetical questions 3. turn them into questions about real past behavior, current alternatives, and real costs 4. organize the result into 8-10 interview questions I can actually use
A very beginner-style input also works:A very beginner-style input also works:
text I want to ask users: 1. What do you think of my AI resume tool? 2. Would you use it? 3. Would you pay for it? Please turn these into better interview questions.
Possible AI output:Possible AI output:
text Rewritten questions: 1. When was the last time you edited your resume? 2. Why did you need to edit it? 3. How did you do it? 4. Which part took the most time? 5. Did you ask anyone else to review it? 6. Have you ever spent money or a lot of time solving this?
That output is useful because it turns opinion-seeking questions into behavior-seeking questions.That output is useful because it turns opinion-seeking questions into behavior-seeking questions.
The same problem feels different to different user groups. Students, HR people, and senior peers often care about different parts of the workflow. AI can generate separate interview guides for each group.The same problem feels different to different user groups. Students, HR people, and senior peers often care about different parts of the workflow. AI can generate separate interview guides for each group.
For example:For example:
text I want to talk to two groups: 1. college students applying for internships for the first time 2. seniors who have reviewed many resumes Please create a 6-question interview guide for each group.
Possible AI output:Possible AI output:
text For students: 1. When was your last internship application? 2. What part felt hardest? 3. How do you judge whether your resume is ready? ... For seniors: 1. When did you last review a junior's resume? 2. What common issues do you see most often? 3. Where do students usually get stuck? ...
That makes interview prep much easier because you do not need to invent every question from scratch.That makes interview prep much easier because you do not need to invent every question from scratch.


After interviews, the problem is often not "too little information," but "too much scattered information." AI is good at turning messy notes into structured evidence:After interviews, the problem is often not "too little information," but "too much scattered information." AI is good at turning messy notes into structured evidence:
text Below are notes from 3 user interviews. Please organize them using The Mom Test: 1. which parts are facts and which are opinions 2. what the user's last real behavior was 3. what the current workaround is 4. what time, money, or effort cost they have already paid 5. which problems show up repeatedly 6. which statements sound positive but have weak evidence
Simple beginner input:Simple beginner input:
text Here are my notes from one interview: - she said she would probably try such a tool - last week she spent one full evening editing her resume - she currently asks friends for feedback - she is not sure when a resume is "good enough" Please separate facts from opinions.
Possible AI output:Possible AI output:
text Opinion: - she would probably try such a tool Facts: - she spent one full evening editing her resume - she currently depends on friends for feedback - she is not sure when the resume is good enough Useful evidence: - the problem happened recently - she already paid a meaningful time cost - the current workaround depends on other people
This is especially useful because it helps beginners separate "sounds nice" from "supports a real decision."This is especially useful because it helps beginners separate "sounds nice" from "supports a real decision."
Before interviews even begin, AI can help with a light external scan:Before interviews even begin, AI can help with a light external scan:
Example prompt:Example prompt:
text Please look up: "What do students complain about most when editing resumes?" Summarize the 5 most common complaints in simple language.
Possible AI output:Possible AI output:
text Common complaints: 1. I don't know what belongs on the resume 2. I have to rewrite it for every role and it is exhausting 3. I keep editing but still do not know if it is good enough 4. I do not have reliable feedback 5. I keep delaying because I never feel ready
This does not replace real interviews, but it helps you enter them with a better starting map.This does not replace real interviews, but it helps you enter them with a better starting map.
You can also paste one interview transcript and ask AI to critique your questioning:You can also paste one interview transcript and ask AI to critique your questioning:
text Here is a transcript from one user interview. Please review it using The Mom Test: 1. Which questions sound like I was seeking reassurance? 2. Which questions were leading? 3. Where should I have asked more about facts? 4. How could I ask this better next time?
That is especially helpful for beginners because it trains the instinct to ask:That is especially helpful for beginners because it trains the instinct to ask:
am I collecting evidence, or am I just collecting encouragement?am I collecting evidence, or am I just collecting encouragement?
.field-figure { margin: 24px 0 32px; overflow: hidden; border: 1px solid var(--vp-c-divider); border-radius: 12px; background: var(--vp-c-bg-soft); }.field-figure { margin: 24px 0 32px; overflow: hidden; border: 1px solid var(--vp-c-divider); border-radius: 12px; background: var(--vp-c-bg-soft); }
.field-figure > a { display: block; background: #f4f4f1; }.field-figure > a { display: block; background: #f4f4f1; }
.field-figure img { display: block; width: 100%; max-height: 520px; object-fit: contain; }.field-figure img { display: block; width: 100%; max-height: 520px; object-fit: contain; }
.field-figure figcaption { padding: 13px 16px 15px; border-top: 1px solid var(--vp-c-divider); color: var(--vp-c-text-2); font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.75; }.field-figure figcaption { padding: 13px 16px 15px; border-top: 1px solid var(--vp-c-divider); color: var(--vp-c-text-2); font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.75; }
.field-figure figcaption strong { color: var(--vp-c-text-1); }.field-figure figcaption strong { color: var(--vp-c-text-1); }
@media (max-width: 640px) { .field-figure { margin: 20px 0 28px; } }@media (max-width: 640px) { .field-figure { margin: 20px 0 28px; } }